Queensland has been successful with containing the spread of COVID-19. It’s now reassuring to know that there are vaccines to prevent acquisition of COVID19 and the development of serious illness and hospitalisation.
The good news is that people with HIV, regardless of health status are near the front of the queue.
Two vaccines are currently available in Australia: the Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines. It has been shown that both vaccines are safe for people with HIV and expert guidance suggests that people with HIV should get the COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccine roll out in Australia will happen in three phases, with phase 1 and 2 containing 2 sub-phases. People with HIV will be eligible to receive a vaccine in either phase 1A or 1B.
People living with HIV will be able to access the COVID-19 vaccine in phase 1A if they perform any of the functions below:
- Quarantine or border workers
- Frontline health care workers
- Aged care and disability care staff and residents
If you are a person with HIV who meets these criteria, you are eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccine now. The following locations around Queensland can administer vaccines to people in group 1A:
- Gold Coast University Hospital
- Princess Alexandra Hospital
- Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital
- Sunshine Coast University Hospital
- Townsville University Hospital
- Cairns Hospital
- Residential Disability and Aged Care Facilities (managed by the Australian Government)
For all other people with HIV, you will be eligible to receive a vaccine in Phase 1B. The roll-out for phase 1B is scheduled for the end of March. QPP will continue to monitor information provided by Government and NAPWHA regarding the vaccine roll out and will provide updates as they become available. You may also like to visit the NAPWHA and Queensland Government websites for regular updates.
If you receive the vaccination, it is still important for our community to get back to basics and continue to perform the health behaviours such as increased hand hygiene, physical distancing and wearing of masks (if you are unable to physically distance)
Please stay safe and remember to remain socially connected – more information about this can be seen here.
Also, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact QPP via telephone or through our website.
